Hand-held input/control device

ABSTRACT

A hand-held input/control device designed and configured such that, when it is held by a user oriented with its operating surface facing away from the users the user may view the operation of the manually operable control members deployed on that operating surface.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of input/control devices and, more particularly, to an input/control device designed to be used with visual guidance while being held comfortably in the hands of a user. The present invention is particularly useful as a hand-held keyboard type input device for a computer.

[0002] The field of hand-held input/control devices is a particularly dynamic one, with devices of all shapes, sizes and functionalities being developed and available to the user. Each purports to offer some advantage in terms of utility, mobility, ease of use, pleasing appearance or other attractive feature or combination of features.

[0003] A wide range of examples illustrate the inventive thinking applied to the field: single hand remote control keypads include the devices shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,510 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,408; keypad units that require both hand use are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,055 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,397; a pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard for a computer is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,449; a remote control unit shaped like a pistol is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,068; a folding remote control is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,625; an inflatable keyboard is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,461; U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,180 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,788 both describe devices in which the fingers rest on the lower portion of a remote control keypad unit, while U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,853 discloses a device in which the keypad is located on the underside of a handheld unit. There are many others.

[0004] Although the design of the input/control units described by these prior art documents and of input/control units available commercially is directly influenced by ergonomic considerations, the multitude of designs reflects the fact that, at present, there is not a single design configuration that, by common consensus, meets the needs of a majority of users.

[0005] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, an input/control device which is designed and configured so as to enable comfortable and natural positioning of the hands when inputting user commands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an input/control device that may be held comfortably in the hands of a user and operated with visual guidance by the user.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a user with a comfortable and ergonomically sound hand-held input/control device that may be used for protracted periods of time without exposure to unnecessary fatigue, stress or cumulative trauma disorder such as repetitive stress injury.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a keyboard type user input interface for a computer that may be used while being hand-held in the hands of a user in a natural and comfortable position.

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a hand-held input device comprising a housing and at least one operating surface being disposed within the housing having at least one manually operable control member, the device being designed and configured so as to enable a user to monitor the operation of the manually operable control member when the operating surface faces away from the field of view of the user.

[0010] According to features in the described preferred embodiments at least a portion of the housing and/or control surface is transparent.

[0011] According to features in the described preferred embodiments at least a portion of the housing is provided with holes therethrough.

[0012] According to features in the described preferred embodiments there is provided a reflective surface attached to the housing which is capable of reflecting an image of the operating surface into the field of view of the user thereby enabling the user to monitor the operation of the manually operable control member when the operating surface faces away from the field of view of the user.

[0013] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the reflective surface is positionable by the user.

[0014] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the device is designed and configured for generating at least one signal in response to the operation of the manually operable control member.

[0015] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the signal constitutes data.

[0016] According to features in the described preferred embodiments there is provided a memory for storing data

[0017] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the manually operable control member forms a part of a user input interface.

[0018] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the manually operable control member includes a plurality of manually operable control members and farther the user input interface is an alphanumeric keyboard.

[0019] According to features in the described preferred embodiments there is provided at least one user output interface capable of outputting data generated by operating the manually operable control member.

[0020] According to features in the described preferred embodiments there is provided a communication port capable of communicating at least one signal.

[0021] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the communication port is a wireless port.

[0022] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the device is capable of communicating via a communications network.

[0023] According to features in the described preferred embodiments the device is capable of communicating with at least one user client.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for the purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail that is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0025] In the drawings:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a hand-held input/control device constructed in accordance with the present invention being operated by a user;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the input interface of the device of the present invention designed and configured as a computer keyboard;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the device of the present invention designed and configured as an input interface for a computer;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a detailed schematic representation of the device of FIG. 3; and

[0030]FIG. 5 is a is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a hand-held input/control device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0032] The principles and operation of a hand-held input device according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

[0033] According to the present invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, there is provided a hand-held input/control device which is referred to herein as device 10.

[0034] Device 10 includes a housing 12 having at least one operating surface 13 which has at least one manually operable control member 15 deployed thereon. Control member 15 is operable by a user and forms a part of a user input interface 16 which may include one or more control member(s) 15 depending on the intended function of device 10.

[0035] Device 10 is designed and configured so as to enable a user to observe and monitor the operation of control member 15 when device 10 is held such that operating surface 13 faces away from the user and thus is obscured from the view of the user.

[0036] In order for a user to see operating surface 13 and to provide visual guidance to the fingers operating control member 15 deployed thereon, device 10 is provided with an area of visibility 14.

[0037] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, area of visibility 14 is provided by fabricating at least a portion of operating surface 13 from transparent material, allowing the user to see therethrough in order to observe the fingers operating control member 15. It will be appreciated that it is not essential for area of visibility 14 to be totally transparent. It will be sufficient for area of visibility 14 to provide the user with a field of view sufficient to allow visual guidance of the fingers operating control member(s) 15. For example, area of visibility 14 can also be constructed of a semi transparent material (e.g., colored, smoky or textured) and provided with illumination to enhance visibility.

[0038] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention area of visibility 14 can be provided by fabricating operating surface 13 with a plurality of holes, the number and size thereof being selected so as to allow the user to visually self guide the operation of control member(s) 15.

[0039] Alternatively, device 10 can include a reflective surface 22 attached thereto. Reflective surface 22 is configured so as to be positionable by a user to reflect a view of operating surface 13 and any control member 15 deployed thereon into the visual field of the user.

[0040] The present invention contemplates all constructions, configurations and materials that provide a user with sufficient visual perception of operating surface 13 so as to allow visual guidance in locating and operating any control member 15 that may be deployed thereon.

[0041] Device 10 is designed and configured to generate at least one signal in response to the operation by a user of control member(s) 15. The signal generated may be of different types, including but not limited to electrical, electronic, magnetic, optical, sonic or ultrasonic, vibratory, radio or infrared. The signal produced will depend upon the relevant embodiment and the requirements therefore, and may include data.

[0042] Device 10 is provided with at least one communication port 20 for conveying the signals generated in response to the operation of control member(s) 15. The communication port may be a hardwire port configured with the type of connector appropriate to the nature of the signals to be communicated or a wireless port capable of emitting signals that do not require hardwire transmission such as infrared or radio signals. Device 10 may incorporate Blue Tooth technology to provide maximum versatility and mobility and may utilize any present or future form of wired or wireless communication technology that serves to convey the data signals that it produces.

[0043] Device 10 is designed and configured such that control member(s) 15 serving as user input interface 16 enable a user to employ device 10 as a control/input device for a broad range of applications. User input interface 16 may take many forms and may include any number of control member(s) 15 configured for any function for which device 10 may be employed, including but not limited to buttons, keys, knobs, switches, joysticks, rotating disks, trackballs and touch sensitive pads. The novelty and utility of the present invention will be preserved provided that the operating surface facing away from the user, corresponding to operating surface 13 of the described preferred embodiment, is visible to the user such that any control member 15 deployed thereon may be operated by the user with visual guidance.

[0044] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate device 10 of the present invention configured as a keyboard type user input interface, which is referred to hereinafter as keyboard 17.

[0045] Keyboard 17 serves the function of a standard keyboard, with control member(s) 15 configured as an alphanumeric keypad. Keyboard 17 preferably includes communication port 20 in order to convey data signals to the computer with which it is associated. In this respect, keyboard 17 may be hardwire connected to the computer with a length of wire for transmission of data signals or may be designed and configured to communicate wirelessly, which may employ infrared or radio frequency transmission to convey data signals to the computer.

[0046] As specifically shown in FIG. 2, keyboard 17 typically includes control members 15 which function as alphanumeric keys and buttons 18 functioning as command keys for formatting and function keys for mode selection.

[0047] Keyboard 17 preferably also include keys, buttons or any other input interfaces (e.g., track pad or pointer) which can be used for scrolling, cursor movement and placement, and for item and menu selection. It will be appreciated that there presently exists a wide range of computer keyboards, some more versatile and diverse than others. Keyboard 17 may therefore be configured in a range of designs and capabilities simulating keyboards from the simplest to the most complex. All are contemplated as within the purview of the present invention.

[0048]FIG. 3 illustrates keyboard 17 deployed in conjunction with a personal computer console and monitor. In this case, keyboard 17 is capable of generating data signals in response to user input in a manner similar to that of a standard computer keyboard.

[0049] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates keyboard 17 in detail. Keyboard 17 includes a housing 12 designed and configured to be held by the user in a manner natural to the physiological orientation of the hands and arms. Accordingly, keyboard 17 includes, on each of its sides, a hand grip 11 having a three-dimensional curvilinear shape which can be easily and comfortably gripped by both hands in a palms facing-thumb proximal-fingers distal position. By gripping keyboard 17 in the manner so described, the thumbs of each hand are oriented in the direction toward the user and have easy access to input buttons 18 which can serve as control and function keys and which are located on the surface of keyboard 17 facing the user.

[0050] The fingers of each hand are oriented in the direction away from the user, with keyboard 17 being positioned between the fingers and the body of the user. In such an orientation and position, the fingers have easy access to control members 15 which, in this case, form a part of an alphanumeric input interface 16. This opposing layout enables a user to simultaneously operate input buttons 18 and control members 15.

[0051] It is an object of this embodiment of the present invention to provide a computer keyboard that is simple and easy to use, without requiring a user to learn a new system or manner of use. Accordingly, keyboard 17 may preferably replicate as far as possible a standard keyboard, with the keys designed and positioned such that each one may be struck with the finger customarily associated therewith. It is appreciated that alternative embodiments of keyboard 17 may provide keypads arranged otherwise, or may employ more or less keys, keys of different sizes, shapes, colors, surface textures or keys that are distinguished from one another in any way. Further, the keys may be distributed differently, with more or less keys deployed upon operating surface 13 and upon the surface of keyboard 17 which faces the user.

[0052] Although numerous keyboard layouts can be used by keyboard 17, each layout will share the common inventive feature of providing visibility such that keys and other manually operable control members deployed on the side of the device facing away from the user when the device is held in the hands of the user may be operated by the user with visual guidance.

[0053] The above described design and configuration of keyboard 17 allows the thumb-operation of user input buttons 18 and finger-operation of control members 15 while maintaining contact with hand grip 11, thus enabling the user to operate keyboard 17 in a comfortable and natural position while addressing limitations of both standard computer keyboards and of the many alternative keyboards presently known.

[0054] Numerous user benefits are afforded by such keyboard design.

[0055] The first benefit is user mobility. Keyboard 17 is hand-held and does not require a horizontal surface for support during use. Accordingly, a user may, while using keyboard 17, move freely in the chair, stand up or stroll about. The limits of such movement are only the length of the wire in the hard wired embodiments or the broadcast range of wireless embodiments.

[0056] An additional benefit is stress and fatigue reduction. Keyboard 17 is designed to be held and used in a manner consistent with the natural position and movements of the hands and arms. When using keyboard 17, the arms, wrists and hands are not required to be held in an unnatural or uncomfortable position, such as with the palms of the hand horizontal and facing down as in standard keyboard use. Moreover, because keyboard 17 is entirely held in the hands, the user may change its position as may feel comfortable, such as raising or lowering the arms and hands, rotating its angle relative to the face, resting the elbows on the thighs or propping the forearms with the edge of a table. It is known that activities conducted with the body held in natural positions, coupled with frequent changes of position, help to prevent the occurrence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders, including Repetitive Stress Injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which is a frequent occupationally related injury of typists.

[0057] A further benefit is ease of use. Standard keyboards are the norm for data entry to computers and “touch typing” is the preferred method of use. Keyboard 17 is easily adaptable to normative keyboard use, having a similar keypad. This feature strongly distinguishes keyboard 17 from the myriad of alternate keyboards known in the art. Alternative keyboards, particularly the smaller and portable versions, customarily employ an arrangement of keys or buttons different from the standard, often employing less keys than a standard keyboard. Using such an alternative keyboard requires a user to learn the new configuration and may require learning new techniques such as chording or pressing multiple keys simultaneously or in sequential order. Touch typists may use keyboard 17 employing customary touch typing techniques and without learning a new system or configuration of keys.

[0058] An alternative embodiment of device 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 which illustrates a multifunctional device capable of processing data, accessing the Internet and communicating with another user, which is referred to herein as PDA 30.

[0059] As used herein, the term “PDA” means a standalone portable personal digital assistant unit, able to execute an internally stored database/memory program.

[0060] PDA 30 preferably includes all of the elements and features of a standard PDA device well known in the art, embodied in the design and configuration of device 10 which includes the novel features described hereinabove.

[0061] Accordingly, PDA 30 has a housing 32 which includes handgrips 31, operating surface 33 which bears area of transparency 34 and communication port 30 which are functionally analogous to their respective counterparts of device 10 described hereinabove. PDA 30 also includes control member(s) 35 configured as user input interfaces appropriate to a PDA device, such as buttons 48, keypad 45 and touch sensitive screen 43. PDA 30 also includes a further input interface for audio comprising condenser microphone 44. The user output interfaces of PDA 30 comprise display screen 43 which may be a color or monochrome LCD monitor capable of displaying text, graphics, and still or moving graphic and photographic images, speaker 46 and earphone jack 42.

[0062] The most common application of such a PDA device is to operate Personal Information Management (PIM) applications. According to this alternative embodiment, PDA 30 is preferably capable of data processing and contains a database server and a memory for storing data which may be accessed by a user. Moreover, PDA 30 may be designed and configured to accept data from a plurality of sources. For example, PDA 30 may retrieve data from the World Wide Web, as will be described hereinafter, or from other database servers forming a part of the World Wide Web; it may input data directly via any of the input interface devices listed hereinbefore; and it may receive data transferred by user clients with whom it is in communication, as will be described hereinafter. Data may be of different content types encompassing publicly available data as published on the World Wide Web or user specific data entered by the user, such as address book information, calendar/agenda information, and personal, financial or other private information.

[0063] In order to retrieve data from the World Wide Web, PDA 30 includes hardware, such as a modem or an Ethernet port, and software, such as Web browser and e-mail applications necessary for establishing and maintaining Internet access.

[0064] PDA 30 may also be configured for communicating with another user operated device such as a computer, PDA, cellular telephone, facsimile device and/or Web TV, each being a unique device type as classified according to intended use, mode of communication, mobility and/or the like.

[0065] Accordingly, PDA 30 may preferably be configured as a mobile cellular telephone having an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and telephone circuitry, and designed to communicate via a cellular network.

[0066] As configured in the described alternative embodiment and in all further embodiments, the novelty and utility of the present invention will be preserved provided that the operating surface of PDA 30 facing away from the user when held in the hands of the user, which corresponds to operating surface 33 of the hereinbefore described preferred embodiment, is visible to the user such that manually operable control member 35 deployed thereon may be operated by the user with visual guidance.

[0067] It will be appreciated that the present invention is capable of a substantial number of alternative embodiments and uses beyond that described hereinabove. Examples of such alternative embodiments may include cellular telephone, Internet access device, electronic game console, controller of radio controlled vehicles or implements, remote control of television/VCR, remote input for a musical device or any other hand held control device for machinery or other functional objects.

[0068] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0069] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-held input device comprising a housing and at least one operating surface being disposed within said housing, said at least one operating surface having at least one manually operable control member, said device being designed and configured so as to enable a user to monitor operation of said at least one manually operable control member when said at least one operating surface faces away from the field of view of said user.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said housing and/or said at least one control surface is transparent.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said housing is provided with holes therethrough.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a reflective surface being attached to said housing, said reflective surface being capable of reflecting an image of said at least one operating surface into said field of view of the user thereby enabling said user to monitor operation of said at least one manually operable control member when said at least one operating surface faces away from the field of view of said user.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said reflective surface is positionable by said user.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is designed and configured for generating at least one signal in response to operation of said at least one manually operable control member.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said at least one signal includes data.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one manually operable control member forms a part of a user input interface.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said at least one manually operable control member includes a plurality of manually operable control members and further wherein said user input interface is an alphanumeric keyboard.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one user output interface capable of outputting data generated by operating said at least one manually operable control member.
 11. The device of claim 6, wherein said device further comprises a communication port capable of communicating said at least one signal.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said communication port is a wireless port.
 13. The device of claim 11, being capable of communicating via a communications network.
 14. The device of claim 11, being capable of communicating with at least one user client. 